He said a road overbridge at Maninagar is also being considered.

Responding to a query by Ahmedabad MP Harin Pathak, Rathwa said work on the Maninagar footbridge was stalled, as there was no response from contractors despite tenders being issued thrice in the past.

“We will issue a fresh tender for this and based on the response, work will be taken up,” he said. The minister also said that request for increasing the frequency of the new train from weekly to tri-weekly will be taken up for consideration by the technical department.

Rathwa said that in view of the heavy burden on the Kalupur station, the Railways will develop new terminals at Sarkhej, Maninagar and Sabarmati in due course of time. Also, stoppages of at least four more long distance trains at suburban stations like Maninagar will be allowed in the near future. The four trains are the Indore-Gandhinagar Shanti Express, Surat-Jamnagar Express, Karnavati Express and the Gandhidham Mumbai Express.

MP Harin Pathak told Rathwa that a new Gandhinagar - Mumbai Garib Rath should be introduced, besides a train from Ahmedabad to Amritsar.

He also called for the tatkal facility to be made available two days prior to the journey from the present five days. Besides, advance reservation period should also be brought back from 90 to 60 days, he added.

Rajya Sabha member Pravin Rashtrapal asked for a reduction in freight charges on salt as it is a basic necessity. He said the new express train should run on alternate days.

Kalupur MLA Farook Shaikh praised the work done by the railway administration in providing facilities at stations. He said the express train should run on a daily basis.